Today's Holiday:

Super Bowl

Super Bowl is an annual American sporting event that has evolved into a beloved national holiday of sorts! It's a day when friends and family gather to cheer on their favorite football teams, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and take in the highly anticipated halftime show. The big game is typically accompanied by an array of mouth-watering snacks, from classic chips and dips to elaborate spreads of wings, sliders, and more. Many people also look forward to the creative and often humorous commercials that air during the broadcast. Overall, Super Bowl Sunday is a fun-filled celebration of sports, socializing, and entertainment that's not to be missed!

Learn more about Super Bowl
Other Holidays Today:

Super Bowl Sunday

Join millions on Super Bowl Sunday, 2/8/2026, for football, food, friends, and a halftime show featuring A-list performers. more >>

Autism Sunday

Autism Sunday, 2/8/2026: Raise awareness and promote acceptance of autism, a neurological condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior. more >>

National Pork Rind Appreciation Day

National Pork Rind Appreciation Day, 2/8/2026, discover the joy of crispy, savory pork rinds and their endless flavor combinations. more >>

Super Chicken Wing Day

Discover the truth about Super Chicken Wing Day on February 8th, 2026. Is it a real holiday or just a myth? more >>

National Kite Flying Day

National Kite Flying Day, 2/8/2026: Join others in embracing the great outdoors, feeling the wind, and watching worries soar away with colorful kites. more >>

Boy Scouts Day

Boy Scouts Day, 2/8/2026, honors the values and principles of the Boy Scouts of America, recognizing its impact on young people's lives through character development, citizenship training, and outdoor education. more >>

Laugh and Get Rich Day

Laughing all the way to the bank, this joyous day is all about embracing the positivity and prosperity that comes with a hearty chuckle, proving that laughter is indeed the best medicine for a successful and wealthy life, after all, a happy heart is ... more >>

Man Day

Honoring the men who make a difference, this special day recognizes the importance of masculinity and the positive impact men have on society. From fathers to brothers, uncles, and friends, it's a celebration of the men who shape our lives. more >>

Opera Day

Get ready to be enchanted by the melodious world of opera! This day honors the art form that combines music, drama, and performance, taking audiences on an emotional rollercoaster. From classical masterpieces to modern adaptations, opera has been a c... more >>
Today's Birthdays:

John Williams

Died in 1983, aged 51

A renowned pianist, composer, and conductor, he is best known for his iconic film scores, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter, which have become an integral part o...

Jack Lemmon

Died in 2001, aged 76

A legendary actor who brought laughter and tears to audiences with his iconic roles in films like "Some Like It Hot" and "Days of Wine and Roses", earning him numerous Academy Awar...

Julio Jones

37 Years Old

Star wide receiver known for dominating games with his athleticism and sure hands, holding numerous NFL records and earning multiple Pro Bowl selections.

James Dean

Died in 1955, aged 24

Iconic actor of 1950s Hollywood, symbolizing youthful rebellion and nonconformity through memorable roles in "Rebel Without a Cause," "East of Eden," and "Giant."

Seth Green

52 Years Old

A multi-talented entertainer who has brought laughter and excitement to audiences through his work in TV, film, and animation, creating iconic characters and shows that have become...

Jules Verne

Died in 1905, aged 77

A visionary writer who pioneered the science fiction genre, crafting timeless tales of adventure and exploration that continue to inspire generations.

Gary Coleman

Died in 2010, aged 42

Child star of the 1980s sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes," playing Arnold Jackson, a lovable and wise-beyond-his-years youngster. He became a cultural icon of the era.

Big Show

54 Years Old

A giant of a man, standing 7 feet tall and weighing over 400 pounds, who dominated the WWE ring with his impressive size and strength, and also had a successful acting career.

Nick Nolte

85 Years Old

Academy Award-nominated actor and producer, known for his rugged, brooding performances in films like "48 Hrs." and "Affliction".

Kate Chopin

Died in 1904, aged 54

A pioneering feminist writer who explored themes of independence, marriage, and women's rights in her novels and short stories, particularly in "The Awakening".

Anderson .Paak

40 Years Old

A multi-talented artist blending R&B, hip-hop, and rock to create a unique sound, known for his soulful voice, genre-bending style, and high-energy live performances.

Klay Thompson

36 Years Old

A five-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion, known for his incredible shooting ability and clutch performances on the court.

Events from History Today:
84 years ago
Japanese Forces Capture Singapore (Singapore, Singapore) 1942
Japan's relentless march through Southeast Asia reached a crescendo as General Tomoyuki Yamashita's forces encircled the supposedly impregnable British bastion of Singapore, forcing the largest surrender of British-led troops in history. The 70,000-strong garrison, comprising British, Australian, and Indian soldiers, was vastly outnumbered and outgunned. After a week of intense fighting, Lieutenant General Arthur Percival marched to the Ford Motor Factory, where Yamashita awaited, and surrendered, marking a humiliating defeat for the British Empire.
122 years ago
Japanese forces launch surprise attack on Port Arthur (Port Arthur, China) 1904
In the frigid waters of Manchuria, a brazen move was unfolding: a fleet of Japanese warships, led by Admiral Heihachiro Togo, emerged from the darkness, their torpedoes locked and loaded. The unsuspecting Russian naval squadron at Port Arthur, considered one of the most formidable in the world, was about to be blindsided. The night of February 8, 1904, would forever change the course of history as the Russo-Japanese War erupted, a conflict that would shatter the myth of Western military invincibility and redraw the global balance of power.
219 years ago
Napoleon defeats Russian and Prussian forces at bloody Battle of Eylau (Preussisch Eylau, East Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia (modern-day Bagrationovsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia)) 1807
Russian General Bennigsen and Prussian General L'Estocq thought they had Napoleon right where they wanted him, but the French emperor had other plans. In the snow-covered fields of Eylau, Napoleon's troops clashed with the coalition forces in a brutal, day-long battle. Despite being outnumbered, Napoleon's tactical genius and the ferocity of his soldiers won the day, although at a great cost in lives lost on both sides. The victory was far from decisive, but it was enough to keep Napoleon's conquest of Eastern Europe on track.
439 years ago
Mary, Queen of Scots, executed for plotting against Elizabeth I. (Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, England, UK) 1587
Mary, Queen of Scots, the once-beautiful and powerful ruler of Scotland, stood on the cold, dark platform, her fate sealed. She had been accused of plotting against her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen of England, and the evidence against her was damning. The Babington Plot, a failed coup to overthrow Elizabeth, had been uncovered, and Mary's name was at the top of the list of conspirators. As she gazed out at the crowd, her eyes locked onto the executioner's block, her thoughts racing back to the events that had led her to this tragic end. The intrigue, the deceit, the politics - it was all too much to bear. And yet, as the executioner's axe fell, Mary's fate was sealed, marking the end of an era and cementing Elizabeth's reign as the supreme ruler of England.
63 years ago
Iraqi Coup: Ba'ath Party Overthrows Qasim's Regime (Baghdad, Iraq) 1963
Abd al-Karim Qasim, the strongman of Iraq, had ruled with an iron fist since 1958, but his regime was marked by corruption, nepotism, and brutal suppression of dissent. Meanwhile, the Ba'ath Party, a pan-Arabist group, had been secretly plotting against him. On that fateful day, a group of Ba'athist officers, led by Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, seized key government buildings and radio stations, and Qasim's regime crumbled under the pressure. The coup marked a significant shift in Iraq's political landscape, paving the way for Saddam Hussein's eventual rise to power.
209 years ago
Grand Marshal Las Heras liberates Chile from Spanish rule with San Martín (Los Andes, Argentina/Chile border) 1817
Grand Marshal Las Heras marched an army across the treacherous Andes Mountains to join forces with the liberator, San Martín, in their quest to free Chile from Spanish rule. The arduous journey proved a logistical marvel as they navigated snow-capped peaks, raging rivers, and harsh weather conditions. This daring maneuver allowed them to launch a surprise attack on the Spanish, catching them off guard. The combined forces of Las Heras and San Martín ultimately led to the liberation of Chile, rewriting the course of South American history.
Notable deaths on this date:
2007Anna Nicole Smith Famous American model and actress known for her glamorous appearance
2021Mary Wilson Soulful American singer, harmonizing hearts and souls
1725Peter the Great A powerful Russian leader, shaping the nation's future
1956Connie Mack Legendary American baseball player
2000Derrick Thomas Elite American football player known for his impressive athletic achievements and philanthropic work
2020Robert Conrad American actor, bringing characters to life on the big screen
1996Del Ennis Professional baseball player who had a notable 15-year career in the MLB
1959William J. Donovan US military strategist
2017Peter Mansfield Groundbreaking English physicist, Nobel laureate, and innovator
1990Del Shannon Rock and roll pioneer whose eclectic music continues to inspire generations.
2006Elton Dean British saxophonist, songwriter, and producer who brought cutting-edge jazz to the forefront
1979Dennis Gabor Hungarian-born physicist and engineer who revolutionized communication technologies.
2021Marty Schottenheimer Legendary American football coach, shaping the game
1998Halldór Laxness Renowned Icelandic author, poet, and playwright who won the Nobel Prize in Literature
1992Stanley Armour Dunham U.S. Army sergeant with a storied career and American patriot.
1982John Hay Whitney Patron of the arts and diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to the UK.
1960J. L. Austin British philosopher
2017Alan Simpson Innovative English scriptwriter, crafting compelling stories
2016Margaret Forster Esteemed English historian, author, and critic, illuminating the past
2013James DePreist Respected conductor and educator known for his musical leadership